Starting the estate planning process can be truly overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. Fortunately, artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help simplify your first steps by offering guidance, generating basic documents and organizing information.
While AI can’t replace the guidance of an experienced estate planning attorney, it can be a useful starting point for getting organized and informed before clarifying and finalizing your intentions with the support of a trusted legal team.
A potentially useful resource
AI tools can ask basic questions about your assets, family situation and goals. Based on your answers, they can suggest whether you may need a will, trust, power of attorney and/or healthcare directive. This can be especially helpful for people who are new to estate planning and don’t know which options are available or necessary.
Some AI platforms can also help users create simple draft documents, such as a basic will or a power of attorney. These can be useful for organizing your thoughts or getting a clearer picture of how you want your assets distributed. However, it’s important to remember that generic AI-generated documents may not comply with your state’s laws or reflect the specific needs of your family. Therefore, you’ll want to review any documents with a qualified estate planning attorney before relying on them.
While AI is not a substitute for legal guidance and support, it can help demystify estate planning and make the process more approachable. If you’re unsure where to start, using AI tools can help you take your first steps toward a solid, enforceable plan that reflects your needs and priorities.